Croup Flashcards
What is croup?
Croup is inflammation of the upper respiratory tract following a viral illness
What is stridor?
High pitched turbulant sounds that occurs when a child inhales
What is stridor indicative of?
An upper respiratory tract narrowing or obstruction
What is wheeze?
A high pitched turbulant noise that occurs when a child exhales
What is a wheeze indicative of?
A narrowing or obstruction in the lower airway (lungs)
What are the differential diagnoses of croup?
Epiglottitis
Tonsilitis
Anaphylaxis
Inhaled foreign body
Congenital defects of the upper airway
What are the classic signs of croup?
Coryza in the preceding days
Stridor
Hoarse voice
Fever
What is the most common causative organism of croup?
Parainfluenza virus
At what age is croup common?
Between ages 6 months to 3 years
At what age is croup most prevalent?
2 years
At what time of year is croup most common?
Autumn/early winter
What is the first line treatment of croup?
Oral dexamethasone
What is the second line treatment of croup?
Nebulised adrenaline
What condition may be diagnosed if the symptoms don’t improve with treatment for croup?
Bacterial tracheitis
What is the treatment of bacterial tracheitis?
IV antibiotics
